Chapter Thirty-Seven

Jesse’s Air Force jet lands smoothly at the military base just north of Atlanta. It taxis to a stop near a waiting government sedan, its doors open, a driver at the ready. Jesse descends the ladder that is hastily put against the plane and assists other personnel as they lower Dewitt to the ground. Both men enter the waiting car and it immediately drives off very fast.

“Did the Feds track down David yet?” Dewitt asks Jesse.

“The driver told me they just missed him at the hospital. He’s gone to some kind of memorial – for you. They just found out about it.”

“And no sign of the bad guys?”

“No, not so far,” replies Jesse.

“Jesse, we have to get there. Did they tell you where it is?”

“Yeah, not far. The driver knows. – And I got the number.”

Organ music continues to play softly inside the funeral home sanctuary. Sitting on an aisle near the front is Sylvia, holding hands with Trey. Eddie sits next to them, but a space remains beside Eddie in an otherwise filled row. – David has not arrived. Nor has Sarge.

The organ music stops. A chime sounds four times. At the front, the minister rises and approaches the chapel’s lectern. He looks at Sylvia and then peers over the congregation.

“I know many of you have very busy schedules,” the minister begins. “And though some friends have not yet arrived, I know Doctor Houston would have wanted us to begin right on time.”

Trey and Eddie punch each other as other students throughout the chapel suppress little laughs.

The minister surveys the chapel once again. Sylvia looks at the main door and then exchanges a little shrug with the minister.

“As the hospital chaplain where he taught, I met Doctor Houston on a number of occasions. But I can’t say I truly-”

Dewitt is on a car phone, trying to reach the funeral home. In the darkened director’s office at the home, the telephone rings and Dewitt is left listening to an answering machine.

“Thank you for calling FINAL: Funeral and Interment of North Atlanta, Limited.”

Dewitt stares at the phone and mouths “FINAL? – Oh, boy.”

“At present, we are conducting a service. You may leave us a mess-”

In the car, Dewitt hangs up abruptly. He talks directly to the telephone:

“A mess: That’s exactly what I’m afraid we will leave!”

Back inside the chapel the minister is continuing.

“... and with that in mind, I have asked the Chief of Staff... ”

He points to a distinguished gentleman near the front.

“... and a student of Dewitt’s, Miss Sylvia Alexander, to say a few words at this time. First, Miss Alexander.”

The government car carrying Jesse and Dewitt leaves the Interstate and with tires squealing turns onto Northside Drive. Dewitt holds the remote device as he speaks with Jesse.

“I don’t know how close you’ll have to be,” he tells Jesse, “but if they haven’t cleared the building by the time we get there... ”

Jesse takes the device from Dewitt.

“Don’t worry,” Jesse assures him. “I’ll push its little button till the cows come home!”

“Thanks, Brother. Looks like our best chance. Uh, driver, how long?”

“We’re there!” says the driver.

Sylvia stands behind the rostrum of the sanctuary. She speaks with a warm but sad voice.

“Thank you, Reverend Hewitt. I have to disagree with you on one account, though, Reverend... ”

Tires squeal outside the chapel. A startled late-arriving David, along with an equally startled Sarge, wonder what is going on. They rush up to the car. When Jesse gets out, Sarge gives him a bear hug, then steps back and almost collapses as he sees Dewitt sitting in the car.

“Oh, my goodness, thank you, Lordy!” Sarge shouts.

David is too stunned to speak but both he and Sarge are quickly filled in on the barest details and the need to protect the congregation from the bomb threat. Sarge rushes to the vestibule of the chapel and commandeers a wheelchair, then heads back to help get Dewitt out of the car.

“... With Doctor D.,” Sylvia is saying, “we would definitely have not started on time, as my fellow students can attest.”

She receives nods of smiling agreement.

“In fact,” she continues, “I once told him that I swore he would be ten minutes late... ”

The main doors at the back of the chapel burst open. David and Jesse rush in, Jesse pressing the bomb device override again and again.

“... to his own funeral.”

Suddenly, Sarge comes in, pushing Dewitt in the wheelchair.

Sylvia is astonished. Everyone turns round and a loud murmur ripples throughout the chapel. Sylvia puts a hand to her mouth. She finally lets out a little scream of recognition and gestures toward the back of the room, bursting into tears, as she says:

“And what can I say! There he is!”